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Partial Eclipse

Last October we had a partial solar eclipse just before sunset. I showed up at Coquina Beach here in the town of Bradenton Beach and just happened to capture a formation of birds as they flew between the sun and ocean. Sunset is when the sea birds are heading to wherever they go to bed down so it’s not that unusual. In any case the sun was so bright that I doubt most people even noticed the eclipse, but with the high shutter speed I used the outline of the moon is more visible than you would see with your naked eye, not that I recommend that. I hope can catch another one, if and when it occurs again, though not likely for a very long time.

Last October we had a partial solar eclipse just before sunset. I showed up at Coquina Beach here in the town of Bradenton Beach and just happened to capture a formation of birds as they flew between the sun and ocean. Sunset is when the sea birds are heading to wherever they go to bed down so it’s not that unusual. In any case the sun was so bright that I doubt most people even noticed the eclipse, but with the high shutter speed I used the outline of the moon is more visible than you would see with your naked eye, not that I recommend that. I hope can catch another one, if and when it occurs again, though not likely for a very long time.

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Linger Longer Jungle

This is the Florida Jungle located in Bradenton. The Linger Longer Lodge is a well-known campground and lodge nestled into a jungle setting reminiscent of a forgotten time. There is all kinds of wild life including turtles, herons and I suppose alligators…, not that I saw any on this day but rest assured, they’re in there. But let’s not pick on alligators, they’re people too and, we all gotta eat. ;-)

This is the Florida Jungle located in Bradenton. The Linger Longer Lodge is a well-known campground and lodge nestled into a jungle setting reminiscent of a forgotten time. There is all kinds of wild life including turtles, herons and I suppose alligators…, not that I saw any on this day but rest assured, they’re in there. But let’s not pick on alligators, they’re people too and, we all gotta eat. 😉

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Train Over Water

A train passes over the Manatee River in Bradenton Florida. These engines were on their way to pick up oranges for the Tropicana plant down the line. It happens every day at the same time and each time it goes by there are a few people lined up to watch. The people wave, the conductor waves and life goes on as it has for decades. Where would we be if not for the railroads?

A train passes over the Manatee River in Bradenton Florida. These engines were on their way to pick up oranges for the Tropicana plant down the line. It happens every day at the same time and each time it goes by there are a few people lined up to watch. The people wave, the conductor waves and life goes on as it has for decades. Where would we be if not for the railroads?

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Gap Creek Reflection

What is it about the reflection of landscape in water that's appealing? My theory is we're attracted to things that remind us of ourselves and reflections or what they represent must somehow be a part of our makeup. Be that what it may, I found this scene behind a baseball diamond the other day in my never-ending quest for new locations. It’s a little creek that empties into a river here in Bradenton. The sky, the grass and trees are pleasant elements, but I think the water and reflection combines them all together in a way that that adds up to more than the sum of the parts. And should I take the time to reflect, there might just me a lesson in there somewhere.

What is it about the reflection of landscape in water that’s appealing? My theory is we’re attracted to things that remind us of ourselves and reflections or what they represent must somehow be a part of our makeup. Be that what it may, I found this scene behind a baseball diamond the other day in my never-ending quest for new locations. It’s a little creek that empties into a river here in Bradenton. The sky, the grass and trees are pleasant elements, but I think the water and reflection combines them all together in a way that that adds up to more than the sum of the parts. And should I take the time to reflect, there might just me a lesson in there somewhere.

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Egret on a Branch

Robinson Preserve is a place I go to to get away. There are mangroves and wildlife within and it seemed fitting to end 2014 with a walk amung nature and it's reflections. If I can do a little more of that in 2015 then it will be a good year indeed.

Robinson Preserve is a place I go to get away for an hour or two. There are mangroves and wildlife within and it seemed fitting to end 2014 with a walk among nature and it’s reflections. If I can do a little more of that in 2015 then it will be a good year indeed.

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New Rod and Reel

This is the new Rod and Reel pier. The old one had a small fire and so the insides where refurbished and is now reopened. Actually is been several months since the reopening and its now back on our regular stops when we come to Anna Maria Island. This is one a must on any list if you're visiting the area. It's a favorite of locals and for good reason, down home good food and atmosphere that’s pretty darn good. I never even look at the menu when we show up here; blackened grouper sandwich and a Corona please!

This is the new Rod and Reel pier. The old one had a small fire and so the insides where refurbished and now reopened. Actually that was several months ago and its now back on our regular stops when on Anna Maria Island. This is a must on any list if you’re visiting the area. It’s a local favorite for good reason, great food and atmosphere that’s hard to beat. As I’m a local I never even look at the menu when I show up here; blackened grouper sandwich and a Corona. About as close as you can get to Margaritaville.

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St. Petersburg Marina

My wife and I went for a walk along the waterfront in St Petersburg Florida the other day. Everyone was out and about and enjoyed the warm weather. The calm water created these little ripples which caught my wife's attention and then mine. I admit it, I'm an unabashed copycat and have no shame. Such as it is here are the boats reflected in the water and something to put us all in a relaxed state such that we might come up with our own ideas and not copy others. But then imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so in reality I'm just flattering my wife. ;-)

My wife and I went for a walk along the waterfront in St Petersburg Florida the other day. Everyone was out and about and enjoyed the warm weather. The calm water created these little ripples which caught my wife’s attention and then mine. I admit it, I’m an unabashed copycat and have no shame. Such as it is here are the boats reflected in the water and something to put us all in a relaxed state such that we might come up with our own ideas and not copy others. But then imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so in reality I’m just flattering my wife. 😉

Click on photo to enlarge

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Tatum House at Crowley

After the busy holidays we needed a break so we loaded up the dogs in the car and drove out to the country for some fresh air. By chance we ended up here at Crowley which is a park on the Sarasota county line featuring natural and cultural history. This is Tatum House which was built circa 1888 - 1892 and represents an example of rural architecture. It reminded me of the Waltons house, it had that same rural coziness. There is a lot to see and do here and a very pleasant break from the normal hustle and bustle. I'll be going back as there was just too much to see in a single visit. Before we left I picked up a pint of natural honey that was harvested on the grounds. Check it out at http://crowleyfl.org/

After the busy holidays we needed a break so we loaded up the dogs and drove to the country from some fresh air. By chance we ended up here at Crowley which is a park on the Sarasota county line featuring natural and cultural history. This is Tatum House which was built circa 1888 – 1892 and represents an example of rural architecture. It reminded me of the Waltons house, it had that same rural coziness. There is a lot to see and do here and a very pleasant break from the normal hustle and bustle. I’ll be going back as there was just too much to see in a single visit. Before we left I picked up a pint of natural honey that was harvested on the grounds. Check it out at http://crowleyfl.org/

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Sunrise Over the Manatee River

I took this from the banks of the Manatee River as it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Because of the tides the river flows in both directions so it's not a typical river in that sense. We do see dolphins and manatees swimming by so it's always fun to look out over the water. That was the idea I had in mind when I took this, just get down low and look out across as the sun rises over the opposite bank.

I took this from the banks of the Manatee River as it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Because of the tides the river flows in both directions so it’s not a typical river in that sense. We do see dolphins and manatees swimming by so it’s always fun to look out over the water. That was the idea I had in mind when I took this, just get down low and look out across as the sun rises over the opposite bank.

Click on photo to obtain enlarge or obtain print

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Six O’Clock Train

If you like orange juice then this is your train, right from the Tropicana plant here in Bradenton Florida. I live just a few minutes from here and every evening I hear the sounding of the horn as the train heads north. Now, whenever I'm up north I have a habit of looking at the label on the OJ just to see where it says

If you like orange juice then this is your train, right from the Tropicana plant here in Bradenton Florida. I live just a few minutes from here and every evening I hear the sounding of the horn as the train heads north. Now, whenever I’m up north I have a habit of looking at the label on the OJ just to see where it says “Bradenton, FL”. I have no idea why I do that, but I do it just the same, home town pride perhaps. I took this earlier this evening as I walked my dogs near the tracks along the Bradenton Riverwalk.

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